Last year, Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council, the county’s seven district authorities and Rutland County Council were asked to set out their preferred visions for the future to the government.The city council’s proposal would see the city boundary widened in all directions to take in suburbs, towns and villages currently served by neighbouring district and borough councils.Areas that would be absorbed by the city include Oadby and Wigston, Blaby, Enderby, Braunstone Town, Glenfield, Anstey, Birstall and Syston.Leicester currently has a population of about 372,000, but that would grow to 623,000 under the proposal.The expansion would provide space for the city’s estimated future housing need of 30,000 new homes by 2046, the council said.The city council has also calculated the move would allow £46m of annual efficiency savings for councils across Leicestershire by reducing duplications of services, saving back office costs – allowing the money to be redirected to front-line services.Leicestershire County Council also believes there should be two unitary councils covering Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.However, it is opposed to losing any political territory to an expansion of the city council.Reform UK-led County Hall says its preferred business case would preserve historic borders and create one large council around the city serving some 800,000 residents.The county council says its proposal would save £40m annually by reducing senior management and back office costs, allowing more council tax to be put into services.Whatever the outcome, the county’s district and borough councils are set to be abolished.They, together with Rutland County Council, are proposing three unitary councils across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, and their preferred option is called, North, City, South.A North Leicestershire and Rutland council would serve the area currently covered by Charnwood borough, North West Leicestershire district, Melton borough and Rutland County Council.A separate South Leicestershire council would cover the areas of Blaby district, Harborough district, Hinckley and Bosworth borough and Oadby and Wigston borough councils.The district leaders said their plan would create three equally-balanced councils, each serving about 400,000 people, delivering economic growth, and saving £44m in efficiencies.
MP’s ‘referendum’ shows opposition to Leicester expansion
